Entrepreneurship assistance for military spouses

(a)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

Administrator

The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Small Business Administration.(2)

Small business concern

The term small business concern has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632).(b)

Program

(1)

In general

Subject to paragraph (2), the Administrator shall establish a program within the Small Business Administration, the purpose of which shall be to assist military spouses in forming, operating, and growing small business concerns.(2)

Extension of existing program

In lieu of establishing a new program, the Administrator may carry out the purpose described in paragraph (1) through an extension of a program that is in existence, as of the date of enactment of this Act, if that extension is tailored to military spouses and otherwise achieves that purpose and satisfies the requirements of this section.(c)

Assistance

The assistance provided by the Administrator under the program described in subsection (b) shall include the following:(1)Assistance for military spouses in identifying and understanding the requirements with respect to forming and operating a small business concern.(2)Assistance for military spouses in strengthening the expertise and skills necessary for the formation and operation of a small business concern, including the expertise and skills necessary to create a sustainable small business concern throughout the uniquely challenging requirements of life as a military spouse, which arise as a result of— (A)military deployments; (B)military-related absences from the workforce; or(C)multiple permanent changes of duty station or other long-term relocations for military reasons.(3)Through military spouse entrepreneurship organizations and business volunteer entities (including by entering into cooperative agreements with those organizations and entities), providing mentorship to military spouses with respect to entrepreneurship.(4)Any other assistance that the Administrator determines to be appropriate.(d)

Survey; report

(1)

Survey

(A)

In general

The Administrator, in consultation with such nonprofit organizations and other stakeholders determined appropriate by the Administrator, shall conduct a survey at select military installations to identify the barriers to forming, operating, and growing small business concerns that are faced by military spouses as a result of life as a military spouse, including as a result of the conditions described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of subsection (c)(2).(B)

Analysis required

The survey conducted under subparagraph (A) shall include an analysis of the challenges that military spouses face in accessing capital and other critical resources with respect to forming, operating, and growing small business concerns, including the education, mentoring, and training that is required to form, operate, and grow a small business concern.(2)

Report

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives a report containing the results of the survey conducted under paragraph (1).(e)

Use of results; outreach

In carrying out the program described in subsection (b), the Administrator shall— (1)take into consideration the results of the survey conducted under subsection (d)(1); and(2)develop an outreach program to ensure that the program becomes well-known.(f)

Consultation permitted

In carrying out this section, the Administrator may consult with the Secretary of Defense, as determined necessary by the Administrator.